Peace talks: Religious leaders call for extra time

Religious leaders and women representatives at the on-going peace talks in Addis Ababa have called on IGAD mediators to give the warring parties more time to negotiate a peace deal.

The leader of the religious group in the talks, Bishop Enock Tombe, says they have petitioned IGAD on the matter.

“The fact that they have disagreed even at the level of the principles, more time is needed; that is logical,” said Bishop Enock.

“We the faith-based [organizations] have recommended to IGAD that IGAD should consider one more session.”

A representative of the women group at the talks, Chelsea Amedio Badal, says they support the call for extra time for the negotiations.

“For sure I am demanding that let there be extra time, and thank God that today we were supposed to be travelling, but all the trips have been cancelled so that all the delegates stay. Anything can be time bound, but through the will of God the problem will be resolved.

President Kiir and SPLM-IO Leader Dr. Riek Machar are now in a closed door face-to-face meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister and the chair of IGAD Assembly, Hailemariam Desalegn.